Monday, July 27, 2015

(OCA) - Bishop Paul reported that he does not intend to issue any “global liturgical directives” at this time, as he feels that he needs another year or so to observe the liturgical life of diocesan parishes. Should issues arise, he should be consulted.

With regard to Vesperal and Baptismal Liturgies, he explained that these may be effective in some parishes, but he hopes that a single “version” of each could be developed for the sake of consistency.

With regard to the attire of readers and subdeacons, he noted that in light of the sexual misconduct guidelines, we must not be “overly clerical” with minor orders. Readers may wear cassocks only when they are discharging their duties; if they are not reading at a given service, they should not wear them. Readers and subdeacons are not to wear cassocks when they visit other parishes.

In the future, altar servers may be blessed to wear oraria in the Byzantine style – that is, not crossed as customary for ordained subdeacons – and henceforth will be referred to as “senior altar servers” rather than “blessed subdeacons.” Only those who are capable of serving Hierarchical services will be ordained to the Subdiaconate proper.

In response to a question with regard to occasions on which seminarians are permitted to wear cassocks, Bishop Paul responded that they are blessed to do so at their respective seminaries.

8 comments:

I find the reasoning for wanting to limit cassock wearing alarming. Were he my bishop, I would be obedient and do as I'm told, no big deal. But to say that it is a product of the sexual misconduct guidelines and to avoid being "overly clerical" is pretty scary.

This line of reasoning can be used to justify practically any change to any tradition.

I welcome this change in practice. It is good to limit the minor orders to what they are explicitly for and to discourage silly "dress up priest" proliferation of said minor orders. And I say this as an Orthodox subdeacon.

"In the future, altar servers may be blessed to wear oraria in the Byzantine style – that is, not crossed as customary for ordained subdeacons – and henceforth will be referred to as 'senior altar servers' rather than 'blessed subdeacons.'"

"In the future, altar servers may be blessed to wear oraria in the Byzantine style – that is, not crossed as customary for ordained subdeacons – and henceforth will be referred to as 'senior altar servers' rather than 'blessed subdeacons.'"

I am mostly an ignoramous when it comes to the Church's liturgical rubrics and such, but by the grace of God I believe I have come to the place where I can recognize (just a little) when the love of Christ is operative in someone. It seems to me what may look to some like "making it up as we go" may in reality be a humble attempt to exercise the true Spirit of Orthodoxy in an actual current context (seldom are those ideal) in harmony with the intentions of established liturgical texts and rubrics in a way that will further the salvation of souls. That's just my way of saying I trust this Bishop's love for Christ and his flock (he has visited my parish and I have read his open diary to a parish he cared for as a Priest) without which we make a mockery of the One Ultimate Meaning of all the details of our liturgical texts and rubrics. I don't know if he will be another Bp. Dimitri (Royster) of blessed memory, but I believe he's the real deal. May God grant him wisdom and bless his efforts for the good of the whole Church. If what I am perceiving is anywhere near the mark, God knows we need more Bishops like this one.

Like them or not, Vesperal Liturgies and Baptismal Liturgies have been well ensconced in certain places of the DoMW for quite a while. The onyl thing new is some regulation of the practice.

"Blessed Subdeacons" have been common in many places of Russian usage, that is men who are not actually subdeacons but learn how to do the special candles etc at hierarchical services, and are blessed to where oraria. Since in Russian usage it is often thought, following the Quinisext council, that the subdiaconate is the cut off for being married or celibate, they are not made actual subdeacons. As I understand, there are a couple of things that they don't do, they can't touch the altar and must not recieve the Holy Gifts wearing the oraria. Likewise, what Vladyka said about cassocks conforms to what I was told Abp Job had said. The only thing really new is not allowing non-subdeacons to be called subdeacons or wear their oraria in the same fashion.

While I basically agree with Fr John it should be noted that there is no one universal pattern for, say, abbreviating Vigil, not even within one jurisdiction. And nearly everyone abbreviates Vigil to one degree or another.

"The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide."